Abe Lincoln in Illinois

Abe Lincoln in Illinois, drama in 12 scenes by Robert E. Sherwood, first produced in 1938 and published in 1939 with extended commentary by the playwright.

The play, which in 1939 was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for drama, concerns Lincoln’s life and career—from his early, unsuccessful days as a postmaster in New Salem, Ill., through his initial forays into local politics, his relationship with Mary Todd, and his debates with Stephen Douglas, and culminates with his election to the presidency and imminent departure for Washington, D.C., 30 years later.